Tag: Lekki toll

Residents of Lekki, under the aegis of the Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association, have appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to intervene in the matter of the recent increase in toll tariffs on the Admiralty Circle Plaza and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Plaza by the Lekki Concession Company.

They specifically asked the governor to reverse the hiked tariffs.

The LCC announced the increase in the tariffs late January, explaining in a statement that the hike resulted from the current economic and business realities in Nigeria that had adversely increased the cost of operations and maintenance of its loan obligations.

With the increase, commercial buses and motorcycles plying the Lekki-Ajah axis now pay N100 instead of N80 they were paying previously. Those with e-tag now pay N90.

Saloon cars and tricycles now pay N200 from N120, but those with e-tag pay N180; the SUVs, pickups and light buses, N250 and N225 for e-tag; trucks and buses with one heavy axle, N400 (N360 for e-tag); heavy trucks and buses with more than one heavy axle, N1,000 (N900 with e-tag).

According to the association, the increase in tariffs was carried out without due consultation with residents.

“We have to state to the government and the general public at large, that at no time did the LCC consult or inform LERSA of any plan to vary the tolls paid at both plazas. We, therefore, request that this decision should be rescinded immediately to reduce the hardship and for the LCC to carry out the necessary consultation on issues affecting the toll gates in our community,” a statement quoted the association as saying.

The residents said the new tolls had increased the cost of living on the axis, including basic services.

Residents, LERSA said, also suffered due to the inadequate toll collection systems and lack of viable alternative routes for the thousands of vehicles using the plazas daily.

The statement read in part, “We therefore hope the Lagos State Government will intervene in this matter and listen to the yearnings of Lekki residents and road users to reverse the current increase.

“LERSA is a platform created for all Lekki estates’ residents and stakeholders to deliberate on issues that commonly affect them in the area. The association is made up of executives of over 75 gated and un-gated estates, corporate organisations and religious bodies from 1004 Estate to Epe. Our members and stakeholders have expressed great dissatisfaction with the insensitive nature of this increase.”

Copyright PUNCH.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Punch Games

A human rights advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has criticised the recent increase in the toll at the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, describing it as unacceptable and anti-people.

The group, in a statement on Sunday by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, called on the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to take immediate steps to reverse the “unfair and discriminatory charges.”

SERAP said with the toll hike, the Lagos State Government ran the risk of “undermining public interest, democratic values, accountability, and opportunities for participation.”

It said, “This latest increase in toll at the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gates is unacceptable, as it conflicts with the goals and commitment of the Lagos State Government to provide basic public services to citizens and residents.

“It seems the agreement between the Lagos State Government and the Lekki Concession Company is no longer serving the needs of citizens and residents.

“In the face of rising poverty and economic inequalities across the country, the Lagos State government should be considering eliminating toll charges rather than allowing the Lekki Concession Company to get away with overcharging citizens and residents and prioritising profits over the public interests.

“Unless the situation is satisfactorily resolved in the public interests, the government runs the risk of being viewed as beholden to special interests and out of touch with the public good.

“It’s time for Ambode to ensure and maintain a balance between the needs of the citizens and residents of Lagos State and the Lekki Concession Company.

“The authorities should respect and protect the right of protesters to demonstrate against the hike in toll charges and to voice their opinion.

“International human rights treaties ratified by Nigeria and the country´s own constitution obligate the government to safeguard the rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

“The hike shows how profit motive can conflict with public motive. Accountability principles require the government to ensure that the activities of the Lekki Concession Company align with the policies and activities of governance, and that the company is not allowed to exploit its monopoly position to charge excessive rates.”

Punch Games

A human rights advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has urged the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to reverse the increase in toll charges at the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gates.

SERAP, in a statement by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, on Sunday, said the increase in toll charges conflicts with the goals of the Lagos State government to provide basic public services to citizens and residents.

The statement read in part, “This latest increase in toll charges at the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gates is unacceptable, as it conflicts with the goals and commitment of the government to provide basic public services to citizens and residents.

“It seems the agreement between the government and the Lekki Concession Company is no longer serving the needs of citizens and residents.

“It’s time for Ambode to ensure and maintain a balance between the needs of the citizens and residents of Lagos State and the LCC.

“The authorities should respect and protect the right of protesters to demonstrate against the hike in toll charges and to voice their opinion.”

The group added, “In the face of rising poverty and economic inequalities across the country, the government should be considering eliminating toll charges rather than allowing the LCC to get away with overcharging citizens and residents and prioritising profits over the public interests.

“Unless the situation is satisfactorily resolved in the public interests, the government runs the risk of being viewed as beholden to special interests and out of touch with the public good.”

The new rates for the toll charges at the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gates were implemented February 1 by the LCC, managers of the road.

Punch Games

Residents of Lekki, Lagos on Friday made good their threat to stage a protest over the multiple hikes in tolls collected at two toll plazas in the area, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

On Feb. 1, the Lekki Concession Company effected a hundred per cent increase in some tolls collected at the Lagos-Ajah highway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge, jolting millions of residents.

The convener of the protest, Mr Adedotun Hassan, described the toll hikes as unacceptable, unfair and killing.

He said it was unthinkable for a government to impose such a burden on hapless and poorly paid residents at a difficult moment like now, calling on the Lagos State Government to cancel the toll increases.

Hassan, who led a group known as Eti-Osa Development Forum, argued that imposing the toll on residents was inhuman and amounted to double taxation.

He argued that in a democracy, the residents ought to have been consulted before making such hikes, saying that the development would affect businesses in Lekki and its environs adversely.

“Residents are not happy with the situation. The increment is killing, that is why we are staging this protest.

“We want the government to cancel the tolls because we pay our taxes, the amount is too high, residents are being short-changed.

“We belong to the same Lagos State, ours is not different. Is it a crime to live in Lekki? What have we done to warrant this punishment?’’

Another Lekki resident, Mr Murphy Adebare, lamented that life had not been the same for him since the new tolls came into effect.

He pleaded with Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, to come to the rescue of the residents and show human face in his administration of Lagos State.

“How can an administration impose two toll gates within one Local Government Area in the state? This is the worst form of meanness.’’

A cleric Mrs Ngozi Igbokwe, also called for the cancellation of the tolls, pointing out that no genuine reason had been advanced by the operators of the plazas.

“During rainy season you will pity the residents of this area because of flooding. Government has not done anything on this problem.

“Why would the same government allow its citizens to be devoured by greedy businessmen in the name of toll collection?’’

On Feb. 1, the LCC rolled out a new toll regime at the Lagos-Ajah highway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge.

Motorcycle riders are now to pay N100 instead of N50, while cars are to pay N200 instead of N120.

Sports utility vehicles are now to pay N300 instead of N150 while commercial buses now N100 instead of N80.

NAN reports that anti-riot policemen were deployed in large numbers at the toll plazas to prevent a breakdown of the law and order during the protest.

An attempt by some people to disrupt the peaceful protest was immediately checked by security operatives.

Punch Games

The Lekki Concession Company, manager of the Lekki-Epe Expressway, has offered frequent users of the road passing through the Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza up to 50 per cent toll discount on its e-tag.

This, according to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the LCC, Mr. Mohammed Hassan, is to encourage more motorists to use the e-tag booth at the toll gate and free the arena of traffic congestion.

The LCC CEO, who spoke in Lagos on Thursday at a press briefing signalling the commencement of new tolls introduced at the plaza and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza, also commented on the unusual gridlock noticed at the Admiralty plaza.

He said the toll discount, planned extension of the road expansion up to Eleko Beach Junction and other amenities were some of the incentives for users of the expressway.

Hassan said, “With e-tag, you are entitled to 10-50 per cent discount. The e-tag entitles you to 10 per cent discount. If you are a loyal motorist, we give you 50 per cent discount. This makes motorists happy because they pay less and move faster.”

According to him, the e-tag is not elitist and has been made available for individuals, corporate organisations and commercial vehicle drivers.

“Motorists can get the e-tag and load it up to whatever capacity they can afford; it is not elitist. The loading process has also been made easy because it can be done on our website and through payment channels, instead of coming down to our offices,” he said.

The company had last Friday announced the introduction of the new tolls on both plazas taking effect from Thursday.

It said the upward review followed “extensive consultations held with stakeholders in the Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway of Lagos State,” adding that the increase was as a result of current economic and business realities adversely affecting the cost of operations and maintenance of its loan obligations.

It also said with a marginal increase from N80 to N100 for mini-commuter buses, it had the assurances of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the area that there would be no increase in transport fares for those using the route.

Speaking on the unusual traffic witnessed at the toll plaza on the Thursday, Hassan said it was expected on the first day of implementing the new tolls.

He, however, said, “Before the toll increase, this is not the first time we are experiencing traffic at the plazas and we have a way of handling it. Each time we see traffic and it is too long, we open up (plaza) to give free passage to motorists. We do this for about 10 – 30 minutes to ease traffic, and thereafter, we continue with the normal process.”

Copyright PUNCH.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Punch Games

The whole of Victoria Island to Oniru was bedlam on Thursday. Traffic was bumper to bumper, as they say in Lagos.

The alternative route was a no-go area either.

It was as if the management of the toll gates, Lekki Concession Company, deliberately created traffic gridlock on the route to prevent people like me from avoiding the payment of the hiked toll.

I was determined to avoid the toll gates until I am able to come to terms with the increase in toll fees.

It is as if the Lagos State Government timed the increase to coincide with the period it will get least resistance from the longsuffering people of Lagos. Most Pentecostal Christians are on a fast. Who wants to protest a heartless increase of toll fees when they are in the attitude of prayer? No one is uttering “peem”. A ti gba kamu. We have resigned ourselves to fate.

I thought I would be able to make good my threat of avoiding the toll gates until I drove to the alternative route and saw that the fuel I would burn crawling in the slow moving traffic would be more than the N250 toll fee I will pay to pass through the toll gate.

I turned back and accepted my fate like everyone.

Approaching Ozumba Mbadiwe, I saw that traffic had built up too. I guess many of us silent protesters decided to go and pay the fee instead of staying in the alternative route traffic.

N500 per day and N12,000 for a 24-working day month. Olorun a r’ejo da o.

My morning commute would be through the alternative route going forward. I have been taking that route in the past two weeks since the news of the planned increase in toll was made public. I started my protest early.

Many of us are now battle weary. Whatever they throw at us, we chest it down like a footballer and life goes on.

I keep wondering what the sculpture of a foot on Ogba Ikeja Road, near Berger Bus Stop, means. No aesthetic value. I suspect that sculpture. You can’t take anything past these politicians. Abi won ti gbese le wa ka ma le soro ni? May God deliver His people.

Ok o, they won. The toll increase is a fait accompli. If you don’t want to pay, face the alternative route. To alternative route I go henceforth. ‘Leave home by 6am before early birds from Ajah and Sangotedo become contenders on the route.

But how do I avoid the toll fee in the evening?

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, e se o. We praise you and your government for inflicting pains on Lagosians.

But that sculpture of a foot… Why does my mind keep going to that sculpture when I’m supposed to be thinking about the increase to toll fees?

Punch Games

The Lekki Concession Company has released details of the new tolls to be paid by motorists using the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Ikoyi Link Bridge in Lagos.

It said in a statement obtained on Sunday that drivers/owners of cars and tricycles driving on the Lekki-Epe Expressway would pay N200, a 66.6-per cent increase over the old rate of N120.

But the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the increase, which is meant to become effective on February 1.

The Managing Director, LCC, Mr. Mohammed Hassan, who first announced the upward review of the tolls on Friday, said it was “to enable the company to meet its loan obligations to its local and foreign lenders.”

The new figures also showed a 20 per cent increase for cars/tricycles using the Ikoyi Link Bridge as the toll was raised from N250 to N300.

Sport Utility Vehicles will attract N250 at the Admiralty Toll Plaza of the Lekki-Epe Expressway, which is 66.6 per cent increase over the current toll of N150.

The Ikoyi-Link Bridge toll for the SUV, mini vans and light trucks was given as N400, an increase from the current N300.

Heavy duty trucks/buses with two or more heavy axles will attract N1,000 at the Admiralty Circle Plaza on the Lekki-Epe Expressway, according to the latest statement from the LCC.

A 25-per cent increase has also been slammed on operators of commuter mini buses intending to use the Admiralty Circle Plaza of the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

But the Chairman of the Lagos PDP, Moshood Salvador, in a statement, expressed shock over the development.

According to him, the plan has once again brought to the fore the wickedness of the Lagos State Government in connivance with the LCC against hapless citizens.

Salvador stated, “The reasons adduced for the planned increase, according to them, include high operating costs and the current exchange rate of the naira to the dollar. This is rather laughable and a great indictment on the ruling APC (All Progressives Congress) at the federal level, which has demonstrated inept leadership from the economy to the Fulani/farmers’ clashes and other critical issues.

“This is a company that generates hundreds of millions of naira daily from tolling and nobody has an idea of what goes into its coffers. It is, no doubt, acting in league with the state government, which year in year out budgets billions of naira for projects without making the details available.”

Salvador also faulted the timing of the fare increase, saying it was strange that it was planned to take effect less than one week after the announcement.

“We want to ask Governor Ambode (of Lagos State), who was until recently a civil servant, whether this is justifiable against the backdrop of the state of the economy,” he said.

According to him, this is at a time when millions of people are out of jobs and for those employed, their salaries have remained static.”

Copyright PUNCH.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Punch Games

Lekki Concession Company Limited has announced that it will increase the toll tariffs being charged at the Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza on the Lekki-Epe Expressway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza with effect from Thursday, February 1, 2018.

The LCC said in a statement on Friday that the upward review of the tolls followed “extensive consultations held with stakeholders in the Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway of Lagos State.

Although details of the new rate were not disclosed in the statement, the firm said N100 would be paid by any driver of a mini commuter bus using the Lekki-Epe toll plaza, which is an increase of N20 on the N80 currently being charged. This, it noted, was the agreement it reached with the drivers’ union during the consultations.

It said the toll increase was as a result of current economic and business realities that had adversely affected the cost of operations and servicing its loan obligations.

The Managing Director, LCC, Mr. Mohammed Hassan, stated that the feedback and recommendations received during the series of consultations held in December 2017 with stakeholders in Eti-Osa Local Government Area and its environs considerably influenced the new fares to be paid by motorists plying the expressway and the Ikoyi Link Bridge.

Hassan said, “Since the commencement of tolling in December 2011, the toll tariffs have remained the same despite the continuous increase in the cost of operations to ensure that the toll plazas and the road infrastructure are well maintained.

“The toll review has also become necessary to enable the company to meet its loan obligations to its local and foreign lenders, considering the fact that foreign exchange rates have continued to increase astronomically in the last couple of years. The LCC cannot continue to operate or provide the services required from us if we do not review the toll tariffs.”

The LCC’s attempt to raise the fares on November 8 last year was greeted with a public outcry, which made the state government to prevail on the firm to suspend the action.

Copyright PUNCH.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.